Dear Lucky: Why Do I Break Out When I’m Sick?

A: Dear psun613,
Acne is a bacteria, and when you’re sick, your immune system—your bacteria-fighting system—is down. If you feel any sort of illness coming on and you’re at all prone to breakouts, step up your efforts. Here is my magic formula at the moment (tested on both ancient me and my 15-year-old daughter): Wipes—which exfoliate both physically and with salicylic acid—a killer, dual-formula leave-on lotion (kills bacteria, unclogs pores, smooths, perfects, doesn’t irritate) and, if the breakout actually occurs, all-night spot treatments with the brilliant Umbrian clay, which is the emergency miracle killer of all time.